One of the ‘Daft Robots’ created from letterpress ornaments, by Mike Edwards
The title of ‘Daft Robots’
The 51st bundle of the Letterpress Exchange Group (LEG) arrived recently and, as always, the package contained a wonderfully eclectic collection of beautifully executed letterpress work. With great difficulty, I have selected my favourite pieces from the August bundle and have posted them here, for your enjoyment.
Mike Edwards contributed a booklet that features a collection of ‘daft robots’ made from typographical ornaments and border pieces. Simon Smallwood’s reproduction of a breakfast ticket pays incredible attention to detail and the Caslon types were loaned by John Randle of The Whittington Press. The original ticket can be viewed here.
Helen Ingham’s poster formed part of a series of protests against job cuts at the Sir John Cass Dep’t of Art Media and Design at London Metropolitan University. It is an adaptation of a poster that originally appeared in the Paris student revolution in 1968 (the original featured General Degaulle gagging a student, while Helen’s poster featured their head of department!).
John Cornellisse and his computer-controlled Monotype Caster have been busy casting type for a letterpress printed edition of Le Grain de Sable by August Michel Benoit Gaudichot. John is to present the completed book at the annual meeting of the Multatuli-Society in the library of the University of Amsterdam on 7th November.
Andrew Dolinski contributed a sample sheet of Poltawski that was published, along with his article on the typeface, in Matrix 28.
For more information about LEG, or membership enquiries, contact Alan Brignull at alan.98@virgin.net. Currently, there is a small waiting list for membership.
Reproduction charity breakfast ticket by Simon Smallwood
Woodletter and linocut protest poster by Helen Ingham
Detail of John Cornelisses’s Monotype-set edition of Le Grain de Sable
A complex arrangement of letterpress ornaments by Alan Brignull at the Hedgehog Press
A sonnet, hand-set in Garamond Italic, by Graham Moss at the Incline Press
Woodletter cover for a reprint of George Borrow’s ‘Wild Wales’ by Peter Criddle at the Ericius Press
Type specimen of Antykwa Póltawskiego by Andrew Dolinski
Woodletter protest poster by Richard Lawrence
